1 Samuel 29:5
New International Version
Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances: “’Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

New Living Translation
Isn’t this the same David about whom the women of Israel sing in their dances, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”

English Standard Version
Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”

Berean Standard Bible
Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

King James Bible
Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

New King James Version
Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”

New American Standard Bible
Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”

NASB 1995
“Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands ‘?”

NASB 1977
“Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, ‘Saul has struck his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”

Amplified Bible
Is this not David, of whom they used to sing in dances, ‘Saul killed his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”

Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t this the David they sing about during their dances: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t this the David they sing about during their dances: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands?”

American Standard Version
Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?

Contemporary English Version
The Israelites even dance and sing, "Saul has killed a thousand enemies; David has killed ten thousand!"

English Revised Version
Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isn't this David of whom people sing in dances: 'Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands'?"

Good News Translation
After all, this is David, the one about whom the women sang, as they danced, 'Saul has killed thousands, but David has killed tens of thousands.'"

International Standard Version
Isn't this the same David about whom the maidens sang when they were dancing, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his ten thousands'?"

Majority Standard Bible
Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

NET Bible
Isn't this David, of whom they sang as they danced, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his tens of thousands'?"

New Heart English Bible
Is not this David about whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, ?Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Is not this David, of whom they sung one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

World English Bible
Isn’t this David, of whom people sang to one another in dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Is this not David, of whom they answer in choruses, saying, Saul has struck among his thousands, and David among his myriads?”

Young's Literal Translation
Is not this David, of whom they answer in choruses, saying, Saul hath smitten among his thousands, and David among his myriads?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Is not this David which they will answer to him in dances, saying, Saul struck his thousands and David his ten thousands?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Is not this David, to whom they sung in their dances, saying: Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Is not this the David, about whom they were singing, while dancing, saying: ‘Saul struck down his thousands, but David his ten thousands?’ ”

New American Bible
Is this not the David for whom they sing during their dances, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, David his tens of thousands’?”

New Revised Standard Version
Is this not David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
- - -

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Was not this David to whom the daughters of Israel were singing with timbrels and saying, “Shaul killed thousands and David ten thousands?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying: Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Is not this David whom they celebrated in dances, saying, Saul has smitten his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Philistines Reject David
4But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? 5Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” 6So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright in my sight, and it seems right that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you have no favor in the sight of the leaders.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:7
And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 21:11
But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

1 Samuel 18:6
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments.

1 Samuel 18:8
And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?”

1 Samuel 19:5
He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

1 Samuel 23:5
Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.

1 Samuel 17:50
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

2 Samuel 5:2
Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

2 Samuel 21:17
But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”

2 Samuel 22:1
And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

1 Chronicles 18:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:13
He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

Psalm 18:1
For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength.

Psalm 144:10
to Him who gives victory to kings, who frees His servant David from the deadly sword.

Judges 11:34
And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her.


Treasury of Scripture

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

1 Samuel 18:6,7
And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick…

1 Samuel 21:11
And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Proverbs 27:14
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

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Dance Dances David Death Myriads Sang Saul Sing Slain Slew Smitten Songs Sung Ten Tens Thousands
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1 Samuel 29
1. David marching with the Philistines
3. is disallowed by their princes
6. Achish dismisses him, with commendations of his fidelity














Is this not David
This phrase highlights the recognition and fame of David among the people. In the Hebrew context, the name "David" means "beloved." David's reputation had spread far and wide, even among the Philistines, who were Israel's enemies. This acknowledgment by the Philistines underscores the divine favor and anointing upon David's life, as he was chosen by God to be king over Israel. Historically, David's rise from a shepherd boy to a national hero is a testament to God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises.

about whom they sing in their dances
The act of singing and dancing in ancient Israel was a form of celebration and public declaration. It was common for women to come out with tambourines and songs to celebrate victories in battle. This cultural practice is rooted in the Hebrew tradition of expressing joy and gratitude through music and dance. The reference to singing and dancing indicates that David's victories were not just military successes but were celebrated as acts of divine intervention and blessing. This public acknowledgment through song and dance signifies the communal recognition of God's hand upon David.

Saul has slain his thousands
This part of the verse refers to the well-known song that celebrated the military achievements of King Saul. The phrase "thousands" is indicative of Saul's prowess and success as a warrior king. In the historical context, Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. His reign began with great promise, and he was initially successful in defending Israel against its enemies. However, this phrase also sets the stage for the contrast between Saul and David, highlighting the shift in God's favor from Saul to David due to Saul's disobedience.

and David his tens of thousands
The comparison between Saul's "thousands" and David's "tens of thousands" emphasizes David's superior military achievements and the greater favor he enjoyed among the people. The hyperbolic nature of the numbers serves to magnify David's success and the divine empowerment he received. In the scriptural narrative, this distinction marks the beginning of Saul's jealousy and fear of David, which ultimately leads to Saul's downfall. Theologically, this phrase underscores the theme of God's sovereign choice and the elevation of the humble, as David, the youngest son of Jesse, is exalted to a position of prominence.

(5) Of whom they sang.--The folk-songs, which had originally excited Saul's jealousy of the young hero David, were current among the Philistines, who seem to have been a musical people. David's having apparently learned and practised Philistine music when in Gath, which he subsequently introduced into Jerusalem, has been already noticed.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Is this
זֶ֣ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

not
הֲלוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the David
דָוִ֔ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

about whom
אֲשֶׁ֧ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they sing
יַעֲנוּ־ (ya·‘ă·nū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

in their dances:
בַּמְּחֹל֖וֹת (bam·mə·ḥō·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4246: A dance

‘Saul
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

has slain
הִכָּ֤ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

[his] thousands,
בַּֽאֲלָפָ֔יו (ba·’ă·lā·p̄āw)
Preposition-b | Number - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

and David
וְדָוִ֖ד (wə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

his tens of thousands’?”
בְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו׃ (bə·riḇ·ḇō·ṯāw)
Preposition-b | Number - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7233: Multitude, myriad, ten thousand


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OT History: 1 Samuel 29:5 Is not this David of whom they (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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